Gen Z, the generation born with iPhones in one hand and TikTok in the other, is falling in love with something that doesn’t buzz, vibrate, or count their steps: the humble mechanical watch. Yep, it’s happening, the kids are winding watches again. Here's why.
Credit - Seiko
1. It’s About the Vibe, Not the Tech
A mechanical watch has zero notifications. No Bluetooth. No fitness tracking. It just… well it ticks. In a digital world that never shuts up, a simple piece of engineering on your wrist feels like a rebellion.
Watch to Know: Seiko 5 Sports SRPK35
Automatic 4R36 movement
Day-date display
100m water resistance
Retro looks, solid movement, and zero distractions. It’s everything a smartwatch isn’t.
Credit - Timex
2. Vintage is the New New
Watches that look like they came from your dad’s drawer are suddenly hot property. Gen Z is leaning hard into nostalgic, slightly wonky design. The kind you can’t replicate on a screen.
Watch to Know: Timex x Q Reissue
Quartz movement
Period-correct bracelet
Pepsi bezel
It’s pure throwback energy, and for the price of a takeaway and a train ticket, it looks effortlessly cool.
Credit - Baltic
3. TikTok Made Them Do It
WatchTok is real. And it’s creating a new generation of collectors who don’t care about Rolex waitlists or snobbery. They care about what looks good, what has a story, and what goes clack when you wind it.
Watch to Know: Baltic MR01
Micro-rotor Hangzhou movement
36mm case
Creamy, old-school vibes
Baltic's rise has been fuelled almost entirely by watch nerds and TikTokers. And it shows no signs of slowing.
We’re certainly fans here in the office. A brand that backs up the hype.
Credit - Tissot
4. They Want to Understand How Things Work
A movement that runs on springs and gears feels like magic. It’s tactile. It’s mechanical. It’s the opposite of touchscreens and 3-second battery swaps.
Watch to Know: Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 in Carbon
Automatic movement with 80-hour reserve
Rubber Strap
Sapphire crystal
You can wear it every day. Or if you’ve had a hard day, well, you can just take it off and stare at the back. It just works.
Final Thoughts: TikTok Trends or True Shift?
Yes, some of this is about aesthetics. And sure, a few mechanical watches will probably end up next to cassette players and vinyl in the nostalgia bin. But the interest is real, and growing stronger each day. Gen Z isn’t just going analog. They’re going deliberate. They’re asking what matters. And if that means wearing a 36mm hand-wound Seiko instead of an Apple Watch, that sounds like a win.